Why is it so hard to say good bye to a pet?

[thorrocks1]

I want to thank everyone for their kind words .. I knew you guys here at HCW would know exactly how I am feeling.

JJ is eating a bit more and drinking .. I am cautiously optimistic that the liver meds might be working .. his coat looks better too but he is so skinny (went from 15 to 11.5 lbs in a matter of 3 months) .. I have an appointment on Thursday to get the liver levels checked again ..

[manders13]

I want to thank everyone for their kind words .. I knew you guys here at HCW would know exactly how I am feeling.

JJ is eating a bit more and drinking .. I am cautiously optimistic that the liver meds might be working .. his coat looks better too but he is so skinny (went from 15 to 11.5 lbs in a matter of 3 months) .. I have an appointment on Thursday to get the liver levels checked again ..

im so happy to hear he is doing better! Keep your head up and give him a treat for me I'll talk to you when i get back!!!

[puakinikini]

I am so sorry. We had to put our childhood pet, Bo, to sleep a few years ago when he got incredibly ill and was debilitated. It was horrible to watch him suffer, and with the assistance of our vet - we decided that it was time. I remember sitting around the kitchen bar with my mom and dad and we were all crying trying to make the decision. My mom said, "I just don't feel like we can ask him (Bo) for more time, he has already given our family so much". That pretty much clenched the deal for all of us. She was right he had given us so much, and now it was our time to take care of him and sadly, that meant saying goodbye. My mom and I gave him a bath, and took him to the vet, we stayed with him until the end. He was by far the best dog I have ever had - and I have had some good ones (including my current). I know it hurts, but like you said you can't let him suffer. I hope you find comfort in remembering how much he added to your life and gave to your family. My love of animals started with Bo and it lives on today. I am thinking of you.

[oceanbreeze]

I'm so sorry about JJ. I lost my beloved baby girl pug last march and i still cry for her. Pets are more than just companions, they fill parts of our lives like nothing else can...and they are family.

Nobody wants to say goodbye to a family member or a friend, forever.

I'm with you that helping them pass over when they are in pain & suffering is better than waiting too long. You will know when JJ's ready, they let you know it. Its the hardest thing to go through, and it will hurt for a while for you. The memories and joy JJ has brought to your life and brightened your days with will help you heal and remember JJ at his best.

Can they give him IV fluids (at vet or you can at home) in order to help his kidneys flush wastes more effectively? We had a cat that had kidney failure, we had her on vet prescribed c/d food and did IV's (a bag a night) on her and it helped for a while. I think we had her for 3 months longer than the vet expected. In the end we did have to help her cross over, but that extra time we were afforded with her will forever be priceless.

*HUGS* We are here for you to support you through this. Again, I'm sorry that JJ is so ill hon.

[tmotley]

We just lost our sweet little doggie on Saturday. She was only 3 years old, but had lymphoma. She was on meds that was helping, but she was having trouble breathing Sat. morning. We got her in the car and rushed her to the vet, but she didn't make it. We all cried even my husband. She was such a sweetie and it was so hard to see her go.

The wednesday before that, I lost my turtle that I have had for 20 years. The turtle is not as cuddly of a pet, but I have had him for so long, it was a shock to lose him too.

It was a rough week. :sad: OP, I hope your cat feels better. Love him as much as possible while he's still with you.

[meggers]

That's great news! Is he taking his pills any better now that he's eating more?